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M: TSIA Chapter 140: 10 Million US Dollars
🕑 Added 2025-04-09 13:15:40 +0000 UTCCoulson leaned in, peering into the room with raised eyebrows, and the corners of his mouth moved into a confused smile. “Wow. An automatic sensor door version of magic, huh?”
“Not a sensor,” Lance replied, raising his hand again, “it’s just ordinary magic. Agent Coulson, oh, and Agent Barbara, please come in.”
Coulson did not come alone. Behind Coulson, Barbara—Mockingbird, known for her sharp gaze and light steps like a shadow—followed silently.
“Mr. White. Miss Nancy. Excuse me,” Coulson said politely. Coulson and Barbara then sat on the sofa opposite Lance.
Nancy stepped forward, wearing a simple white apron that looked a bit oversized. “What would you like to drink?” Nancy asked in a friendly tone.
“Just tea. Thank you,” Coulson said.
“Coffee,” Barbara said briefly, almost without intonation.
Nancy nodded and walked to the kitchen, leaving a soft aroma of herbal tea that she had just brewed.
Lance crossed his legs, gazing at his two guests with a faint smile. “Agent Coulson, isn’t your partner usually Cavalry? Why is it Mockingbird now?”
Barbara smiled slightly. “Mr. White seems to know us very well.”
Lance shrugged. “Just like you all keep an eye on anyone with superpowers, we also need to know who holds potential danger among humans.”
Barbara responded in a tone that was almost neutral, but her question pierced sharply. “Do all witches watch us like you do, Mr. White?”
“You’re too prejudiced.” Lance grinned, then slightly pursed his lips. “You think I care about the data from the public security department? I just live in this environment, and as a good citizen, of course, I want to know my neighbors.”
Barbara’s gaze hardened for a moment before she returned to her calm expression. “Do you mean we are arrogant and narrow-minded towards the world?”
“Oh? You know how to use idioms too,” Lance chuckled softly. “Since the dawn of civilization, witches have walked this earth. Civilizations have risen and fallen in turn, but the traces of witches have never been broken. From the Stone Age to the digital era, they have always been behind the scenes, protecting this world from true destruction.”
Lance leaned back, staring at the ceiling with a vacant expression for a moment, then continued. “The world wars you consider terrifying are just child’s play compared to the threats we face. And most of you don’t even know anything.”
Coulson sat up straighter. His eyes narrowed sharply. “The crisis of civilization’s destruction? Are you talking about the terrifying demons like we saw yesterday?”
Lance turned, looking deeply into Coulson’s eyes with a smile that was not entirely friendly. “Agent Coulson, are you sure you have the authority to know all this?”
Coulson scratched his forehead, a bitter smile appearing on his face. “Alright. It seems we have to wait for Director Fury to speak directly.”
The undeniable fact: Coulson was only a level 8 agent at that time. But after the incident with Lance, Coulson had even been demoted back to level 7. And of course, that meant a lot of information was now out of Coulson's reach.
However, at least Coulson knew when to hold back.
Lance leaned forward, interlocking his fingers. “Enough small talk. You’re looking for me for something. What is it?”
Coulson responded immediately. “We would like to ask for your help, Mr. White, for a rescue mission.”
“Who needs to be rescued?” Lance asked expressionlessly.
“We are clearing the ruins of an ancient temple found beneath subway station No. 76,” Coulson explained. “The place has been abandoned for a long time, but last night... the temple suddenly disappeared. Several of our agents and researchers vanished along with it.”
Lance raised an eyebrow but showed no sign of surprise. “Ah, the ancient temple... of course. It’s just a semi-space. It only intersects with this world temporarily. When the time runs out, it shifts to another dimension, and it may not return for hundreds of years.”
Coulson's eyes shone with hope. “Since you understand the situation clearly… can you help us save the staff?”
Lance nodded calmly. “Ten million dollars.”
Coulson blinked, momentarily speechless. “What?”
Lance stared at Coulson, flat yet sharp. “That’s the price I’m asking. The fee for my service: ten million dollars.”
Coulson raised an eyebrow, then smirked slightly. “Mr. White, you’ve really managed to erase the last good impression I had of you.”
Lance shrugged as if he didn’t care. “Wizards need to eat too, you know. And yes, we need an income as well.”
Coulson sighed, then pressed his headset. “Alright. We agree. Do you need any preparation? We can—”
“No need.” Lance stood up from the sofa, then slowly raised his left hand. The tips of his fingers traced the air.
In an instant, sparks swirled to form a glowing circle. Inside, the shadow of the dark temple appeared, along with several pale faces looking hopefully from the other side.
“Sir?!”
“Agent Coulson?! You’ve come to rescue us?!”
Those trapped in the ancient temple for hours seemed eager to burst out. Some of them were so relieved they were almost in tears.
Coulson raised his hand, confused by the enthusiastic welcome. “Everyone, hurry out! Don’t forget to bring the equipment and all the research data!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Quickly!”
With the excitement of prisoners just freed, the group rushed through the portal, carrying bags and boxes as if being chased by a pack of hungry wolves.
Once the group was safe and sent back to the branch, Barbara turned to Lance, her tone a mix of admiration and amusement. “Mr. White, you just drew one circle and asked for ten million dollars. Maybe you’d be better off starting your own business. It seems more profitable than being a wizard.”
Lance smirked lazily, arms crossed. “Have you heard the story about Henry Ford and an old engineer named Stanment?”
Barbara raised an eyebrow, anticipating the continuation of Lance’s story.
“Ford had a problem with his engine. Stanment came, observed for a moment, then drew a line with chalk on the engine casing. Stanment said, ‘Open here, reduce the coil turns in this part by sixteen turns.’ They followed his advice, and the engine ran smoothly again.”
